The model turned actor won the Indian edition of the adventure reality show

Rajneesh Duggal is one contestant who has been the most consistent performer on Khatron Ke Khiladi 5: Darr Ka Blockbuster and has defeated co contestants Gurmeet Choudhary and Nikitin Dheer in the final battleground.

Amidst action, fun and humour this Delhi lad was announced the winner of KKK5 by Ajay Devgn who was also present on the sets to promote his upcoming movie Singham Returns with host and director Rohit Shetty. This is Rajneesh’s first stint on the small screen, and this Dangerous Ishq actor has already won many hearts over his two months of journey on the adventurous reality show. Bollywoodlife exclusively spoke to this dashing dude post declaring him the winner. Have a look.

I am very very happy. Everyone who participates in a competition does it for winning, and so did I. However, I wasn’t very sure of winning it right since the first episode, but from the seventh or the eighth episode I thought even I could win the show.

What do you plan to do with the prize money?

Oh that departments belongs to my wife Pallavi, she is the finance minister of my house. While I am usually involved with the creative part, my wife takes care of the finances. However, one thing is certain that a particular percentage of my earning will definitely go to a charity.

Had you expected to win the show?

See right from my childhood, I have always been very competitive, so that feeling was always there. Also, I love sports whether it’s swimming, cricket, football, relay I have always participated in them and have excelled at it. Moreover, my strategy to survive was to keep it low, but move ahead with a good pace. Yes, where a partner work was involved it mostly took me backwards, however, otherwise I think I managed to pull it off.

If not yourself who was the other person you felt deserved to win the show?

I think amongst everyone else Nikitin Dheer, Gurmeet Choudhary, Salman Yusuf Khan and me were the most deserving. As I said, in the beginning I had slightly underestimated myself but then eventually I was cool and thought that even I can win.

Did you plan your moves in KKK5 after watching previous seasons?

Yes, I think everyone who said yes to the show had watched the previous seasons, but one smart thing that the makers did this time was that they changed the entire format of the show. For example in earlier seasons contestants did all the stunts, while in this year the tasks were divided. So our entire strategy went for a toss, but yes in my case as I said I kept low but never lost focus from the stunts.

Three words that describe your experience in KKK5?

I think I would like to call it Mind Ka Blockbuster. Mind ke block ko burst kar diya.

Your toughest stunt on this show would be…

I think the snake and the crocodile task was very difficult considering I have this huge fear of snakes, but now I am fine with it. Also the last stunt, Aakhri Udaan was quite difficult. It was very exhaustive.

Who do you think was the weakest contender on the show?

I really don’t think anyone was a weak contender on the show. All of us had to face our fears, and all of us were giving our best shot possible to attempt the stunts. Khatron Ke Khiladi requires mental as well as physical fitness. I don’t think there was anyone who was weak from the mind or even physically. Everyone was trained, so I don’t think anyone on the show was weak.

Your biggest competition on the show was?

You know what, on this show your biggest competition is your own mind. That block in your mind, which might stop you from doing a stunt, if you can deal with that then half of your battle is won. However if I have to name someone, then Gurmeet, Salman and Nikitin were my biggest competitors.

One contestant you will miss the most?

Salman and Nikitin have been very close to me throughout and it’s not that we have lost touch or so. Just a few days back we were out together for dinner and all of us also stay close by, so we can meet anytime we wish to.

Did you think Gauahar Khan’s panic stricken expression on the show was only to grab eyeballs?

Actually Gauahar is generally very outspoken, so she is naturally like that. She has always been very vocal about her thoughts and that’s her style. Like everyone has their own style, Gauahar has her own. So I don’t think she was doing anything purposely.

How would you describe your host Rohit Shetty?

Rohit Sir was great, he was just amazing. He constantly motivated us. He said, “Ghus ja bindass stunt mein, kuch nahin hoga, meri beizzati mat karwa.” He always stressed on attempting the stunts. He has this great quality of motivating people.

Not at all, even Nikitin was laughing at this news. You know what, Daya Sir (Dayanand Shetty) and Rohit Sir have known each other from 18 to 20 years, still there was no biasness towards him.

But Daya is doing Singham Returns with him now?

Yes, but that was planned long back. It isn’t any recent news. So no I don’t think there was any biasness towards anyone.

There were reports that two finales of KKK5 were shot just to keep Rohit happy, is it true?

Not true at all, I did even speak to the officials at Colors and even they have no clue from where all these rumours are coming from.

Tell is something about your off screen masti in Cape Town.

(Laughs) We actually did a lot of masti, however, I was never caught on camera. I always made sure that the cameras were not rolling. Also, I never do such things myself, I only give ideas and people actually do it. For instance, while shooting we had these portable toilets. So once when Ranvir (Shorey) was in the toilet I asked KV (Karanvir Bohra) to climb up the toilet and click a picture of him and he actually did that. So I didn’t do anything, I just gave him an idea and he did it. It was great fun.

You come across as a very calm and a quiet contestant is that even how you are in person?

Yes in person I am calm, but I am also very naughty but my naughty side is only visible behind the camera, not in front of it.

Now with these positive reactions from the people, are you considering more offers from television or Bollywood is still your first love?

I think at the moment very interesting things are coming up on television, so I am open to it. Though I am currently working on a film, but I am also open to interesting offers on TV.

Any film offers from Rohit Shetty or others?

(Laughs) Nothing as of now from Rohit Sir. Though would love to work with him… I am only waiting for that day when he would call up and offer something. I am definitely going to jump on that opportunity. At present I am working on a film called Direct Ishq Ho Gaya with Rajiv Ruia. Also there is another film called Spark which is in the making. The director of this film has been an assistant director on the Hollywood movie, 21.

Given a choice would you like to be a part of the hit reality show Bigg Boss 8?

No, that’s one thing I can’t do. I am a very private person, so I can’t give my 24/7 commitment to anyone show. Though I will manage because I am inherently very calm, but then I also have my own choice right? So no Bigg Boss for me.